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'Cane' creator boards TNT's 'Dallas' remake

Cynthia Cidre set to write Warner Horizon project

Cynthia Cidre has been tapped to write TNT's new take on "Dallas," the first major development for the project that had been rumored for a couple of months.

The network and Warner Horizon, which is producing the series, are refusing to discuss its story line.

The initial idea was to have the series revolve around J.R. and Sue Ellen's son John Ross and Bobby and Pam's adopted son Christopher, but the studio and the network are waiting for Cidre's take on the Ewing clan and want to read her script before making a decision.

Patrick Duffy, who played Bobby in the original series, Larry Hagman (J.R.) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) were approached two months ago about potentially reprising their roles. There are no talks between the actors and Warner Horizon, and a rep for the studio said the three "may or may not be part of" the new series.

"Dallas," which premiered in 1978, was one of television's most successful primetime soaps and ran for 13 seasons on CBS.

Warner Bros. TV has the TV rights to "Dallas" through the 1989 acquisition of series producer Lorimar Television. Feature rights are owned by New Regency, which has been trying to mount a feature remake for the past several years.

In addition to creating and executive producing the Latino family drama "Cane," Cidre wrote and executive produced the A&E pilot "Danny Fricke" and penned the feature "Mambo Kings."